CD Review: Fraze Gang – Fraze Gang II

Brighton Rock was one of Canada’s most under-rated melodic rock bands of the hair band era, and despite not having anything new from the band in since 1992, BR alumni Greg Fraser (vocals and guitar) and Stevie Skreebs (bass) are continuing to hold the torch with the band Fraze Gang, which just released its second album Fraze Gang II.

Rounded out by drummer Phil Epp and new guitarist Derek McGowan, Fraze Gang has taken their version of the Brighton Rock sound that was evident on the debut album and turned it into something very separate and much harder from the lighter rock of BR. There’s a bit of an Ace Frehley, Judas Priest and Ratt sound going on on Fraze Gang II, which might be courtesy of former Ratt/Europe and Winger producer Beau Hill, who mixed the album.

Fraze Gang II embraces an 80s sound wrapped around some extremely solid guitar playing from Fraser, who led all those classic Brighton Rock riffs and solos back in the 80s. The rhythm guitars have a nice crunch, but the lead shines through with tasteful and memorable licks. It actually reminds me of the first time I heard the Ace Frehley KISS solo album and discovered just how important a well played guitar is to any song. And now all these years later, Fraser is cranking out solos that sound reminiscent of those classic 70s and 80s solos from Frehley, Jimmy Page and to a certain extent, Tommy Shaw. And in contrast, Fraser has grown into a much more talented and solid player than Frehley ever did. The guitar playing alone is worthy of three of the four and a half stars this album was awarded.

The album standouts include the powerful lead track Saint Or Sinner, In Your Face and the very KISS like Juggernaut. A cover of the 1954 Muddy Waters song I Just Want To Make Love To You rounds out this heavier collection of new music from a group of Canadian melodic rockers that certainly sound like they really believe in what they do.

Dan has written and photographed for nearly every major newspaper across Canada, as well magazines like Rolling Stone, Rock Scene and Metal Hammer. He has interviewed nearly 1,000 celebrities, including his favourite bands like KISS, Motley Crue, Metallica and Bon Jovi.

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Making Shakespeare accessible for young audiences is something Riverfront has worked at several times in past productions, and we’re doing it again. RTC loves Shakespeare, and are keen to share that love with our audiences. This year, we’re putting together a series of short plays in a mixture of modern and Shakespearean language, dialogues and small skits, at least one musical number, and tying it all together with some highly entertaining emcees who help to facilitate the audience’s understanding and appreciation of what’s being presented. Every performance will be a little different, we’ll be mixing up the content every day. If you already love Shakespeare, you’ll love what we’re doing. If you’re new to his works, you’ll come away delighted and much less intimidated by his work! Along with original content and specifically chosen selections from Shakespeare, we will be making use of the following one-act plays during this Festival:

Shreds and Patches, by Robert Wing

Shreds and Patches is a re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The location is a “wellness facility” for disturbed teens. Dane, our anti-hero, confronts his bullying step-father and self-centered mother with the help of his fellow patients and Dr. Osric. Will Dane be able to get through to his mother about “the king of shreds and patches” or will he be left in the dark?

The play fuses Shakespearean speech with modern dialogue, reinforcing the notion that the teens and adults speak different languages.

Shakespeare on a Shoestring: Cymbeline! By Michael Calderone

Did you know that Cymbeline has all of Shakespeare’s most famous plot devices? It has… Faked Death! Mistaken Identity! Parental Marital Veto! But wait, there’s more!

Join our players as they tackle the play in the Shoestring style, which emphasizes ensemble, the physical space (with all scenery created by living tableaux) and audience interaction.

Postcards from Shakespeare, by Allison Williams

“The words just aren’t coming out… it used to be so easy! Bang out fifty-odd pages, rush it to the theatre, collect the money. But now, I am a block, a stone, a worse than senseless thing.”

Shakespeare has writer’s block. Nothing inspires him. The best he can come up with is “Now is the winter of our irritation!”

He pleads to the one person who can help him – Queen Elizabeth the First. Queen Lizzy, who could be a writer herself if she weren’t so busy crushing the Welsh, sends Shakespeare around the world in 30 minutes. Denmark! Venice! Egypt!

Join his whirlwind tour as he desperately searches for material. Star-crossed lovers! Surprise death! Shipwrecks! Something’s rotten in the state of Denmark…

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 22ND
London Music Hall & London's Best Rock FM96 present..
The Trews "Civilianaires" Release Tour
http://www.thetrewsmusic.com
with special guests to be announced
7PM. Licensed/All Ages.
On sale Friday 10AM at Grooves

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 22ND
London Music Hall & London’s Best Rock FM96 present..

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The Sarnia Sting are Sarnia’s junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The team plays out of the Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia and they’re geared

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The Sarnia Sting are Sarnia’s junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The team plays out of the Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia and they’re geared up for a fast and furious 2018-19 season in a quest to capture their first Mastercard Memorial Cup victory.

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The London Knights are London's junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The team plays out of Budweiser Gardens in London and they're geared up for a

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The London Knights are London’s junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The team plays out of Budweiser Gardens in London and they’re geared up for a fast and furious 2018-19 season in a quest to capture their third Mastercard Memorial Cup victory.

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Chelsea’s Story: Sex Trafficking in Waterloo Region
Ontario is reputed to have the highest level of human sex trafficking in Canada, harbouring 70% of all human trafficking activity, in part due

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Chelsea’s Story: Sex Trafficking in Waterloo Region

Ontario is reputed to have the highest level of human sex trafficking in Canada, harbouring 70% of all human trafficking activity, in part due to highways such as the 401 and the QEW that allow for quick movement between cities.

Most people think human sex trafficking is an “international” issue of smuggling people in from other countries. In fact the majority is sex trafficking, specifically child sexual exploitation, which is a domestic issue and the problem is growing.

Sex trafficking occurs when people are recruited, coerced, or deceived into providing sex services. In 2015, Police found 27 cases of trafficking in Waterloo region; 26 involved sexual exploitation. 93% of trafficked victims in Canada are girls around the ages of 12 to 15. This problem is far larger that we know with most cases being unreported.

We need to understand human sex trafficking so we can mobilize efforts to prevent it. This takes an “all hands on deck” approach.
JM Drama Alumni, working in partnership with the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC), is producing a community play to start a broader dialogue about this issue that in turn will hopefully lead to some upstream prevention measures.

Chelsea’s Story written by Sean McGrath from AlterEgo Creative Solutions UK is a compelling saga that will be the centrepiece for a series of outreach and educational opportunities around human sex trafficking. The goal is to increase awareness and mobilize community and its services to prevent our children from being victimized in the first place.

“AlterEgo’s Chelsea’s Story is an innovative and powerful production highlighting the very serious and emotional issue of child sexual exploitation. The production shows how young people, boys and girls, are groomed by adults for the purposes of sexual exploitation using various methods, ensnaring young people and eventually taking complete control and dominating their whole lives. The audience will gain a better understanding of the devastating impact that sexual exploitation has on a young person’s life. This is a very useful and innovative way of raising awareness of the issues relating to sexual exploitation and reaching young people, giving them some skills and knowledge to be able to protect themselves from this form of abuse.”

– Sheila Taylor, National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young People, UK

Performances will run from February 21-24, 2019 coinciding with Human Trafficking Awareness Day at The Registry Theatre, located in downtown Kitchener, Ontario.

The community theatre production of Chelsea’s Story will be augmented by a series of outreach activities into the community both before and after. School aged children will be a particular area of focus. Strategic outreach to youth at risk will bring members of the community to the theatre that are unlikely to engage in the arts otherwise and often struggle with social challenges that are not always well understood.

Partnerships will be the key to the success of this endeavour; it is only through meaningful interaction with local stakeholders, both individuals and organizations, that we can foster shared ownership of the project, and generate a collective response to the complex problems we face in our communities.

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19+, valid photo ID required
Doors open at 7:30pm, music starts at 8:00pm

$30 advanced tickets + service charge

*Mailing List Pre-sale*
-Join our mailing list by 5pm on Wednesday October 17th
-Sign up at www.maxwellswaterloo.com for our weekly concert update mailing list (right hand side of our website)
-Check your email and make sure you opt into the mailing list
-You will receive a password after 6pm on Wednesday October 17th
-Mailing list pre-sale begins Thursday October 18th at 10am

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Go Mobile – Your phone’s your ticket. Locate your tickets in your account – or in your app. Mobile and Box Office Will Call are the only valid delivery methods for this event. Print at home functionality is not available.

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The Prime Time Big Band is one of the most popular Swing Big Bands in Ontario. The band has recorded three albums and numerous performances over almost two decades. The

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The Prime Time Big Band is one of the most popular Swing Big Bands in Ontario. The band has recorded three albums and numerous performances over almost two decades. The band has many exceptional jazz soloists and singers who always put on a great evening of entertainment.

Aeolian Hall provides a wonderful acoustic space for listening and dancing. You won’t want to miss this evening of great swing and jazz standards. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a swing in your step!

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‘Guys and Dolls’ is a musical romantic comedy involving the unlikeliest of Manhattan pairings: a high-rolling gambler and a puritanical missionary, a showgirl dreaming of the straight-and-narrow and a crap game manager who is anything but. Set in the Manhattan of Damon Runyon’s short stories, ‘Guys and Dolls’ takes us from bustle of Times Square to the dance clubs of Havana to the sewers of New York City as it demonstrates the great lengths to which a guy will go when he truly falls in love with a “doll.” ‘Guys and Dolls’ features some of Frank Loesser’s most memorable tunes, including the hilarious “Adelaide’s Lament,” the romantic “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” the exuberant “If I Were a Bell,” and the classic “Luck Be a Lady.”

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“This is Major Tom to Ground Control.” Step through the door and experience the greatest hits of music icons David Bowie and Prince. Always unique, interesting, controversial, and never afraid

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“This is Major Tom to Ground Control.” Step through the door and experience the greatest hits of music icons David Bowie and Prince. Always unique, interesting, controversial, and never afraid to push their own creative boundaries, Bowie and Prince’s music will live on. Jeans ‘n Classics share the stage with your Windsor Symphony Orchestra as we pay homage to two of the greatest pop/glam/rock enigmas in music history.

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ProjectBE is thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual Snow Queen pageant in London, Ontario..Come check us out Friday February 22nd at 765 Old East Bar & Grill, located inside 765

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ProjectBE is thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual Snow Queen pageant in London, Ontario..Come check us out Friday February 22nd at 765 Old East Bar & Grill, located inside 765 Dundas Street in London, Ontario where we will crown the third Snow Queen.
Doors Open at 830pm. Pageant Starts at 9pm

Get ready for a EXPLOSION OF COMPETITION:
Come on down and cheer for your favorites!

HOSTED BY ProjectBE
With the Step Down of the 2018 Snow Queen Roxy Rhymes
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WITH CONTESTANTS TO BE ANNOUNCED:
Those wanting to run should send a message to ProjectBE with intention to run. There is a $25 fee to run. You have until February 1st to confirm your intention to run.

As individuals are confirmed they will be listed below as contestants.
◄ Luna Eclipse
◄ Libby Nightmare
◄ Ariel Attack
◄ Phoenix Black
◄ Antichristianna
◄ This Could Be You

The Night of the event you will:
◄ Showcase your Winter/Snow Queen Look
◄ Showcase a TALENT number to showcase yourself.
◄ Showcase your Winter EVENING WEAR Look and Q & A
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$300 PRIZE to the Winner
Bring us your coldest, most fierce winter looks, stomp the runway, slay the competition (or die trying) and snatch the crown, $300 CASH, Bragging Rights, and many more prizes to be announced!

** $100 will be awarded at the pageant to the winner, the remaining will be awarded after successful completion of a Charity Fundraiser approved by the Pageant Director, and the remainder at the winners step down **

– The winner of the pageant must complete 1 fundraiser through their year to give back to a charity in London
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HAPPENING INSIDE 765 OLD EAST BAR & GRILL
$5 cover to attend
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Guest Judges:
◄ To Be Announced

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What better way to kick back and relax on a Friday than with some cold drinks, great company and some great tunes from Guitar Army?
Join us and enjoy the fantastic

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What better way to kick back and relax on a Friday than with some cold drinks, great company and some great tunes from Guitar Army?
Join us and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere and drink menu of The Thirsty Butler!

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Book by Joe Masteroff
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Based on the Play by John Van Druten
and Stories by Christopher Isherwood

SYNOPSIS
In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the CABARET. With the Emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary CABARET explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Cliff, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, is immediately taken by English singer Sally Bowles. Meanwhile, Fräulein Schneider, a proprietor of Cliff and Sally’s boarding house, tentatively begins a romance with Herr Schultz, a mild-mannered fruit seller who happens to be Jewish. Come hear some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including Cabaret, Willkommen and Maybe This Time. Leave your troubles outside – life is beautiful at CABARET!

“Divinely, dangerously, decadent.” – The New York Times

WEEKEND # 1
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14th – 8PM – OPENING NIGHT
Korda Kit Kat Club Exclusive
Season Opener: The theatre will host a grand Opening Night Gala on February 14 at 6:00 PM, with hors d’ouevres, prosecco, entertainment, and special guest MC Dan MacDonald, followed by the performance of CABARET at 8:00 PM. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala will be $50 per person.
Info? Call Tracey B. Atin at 519-562-3394.
Advance Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cabaret-opening-night-korda-kit-kat-club-exclusive-tickets-54524019811?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

Buying Tickets Online in Advance?
-$25 General Admission – one price available only when you purchase online.
-Buy them online at Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cabaret-at-korda-tickets-54523892430?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

Buying Tickets at the Door?
-$25 General Admission.
-Available one half-hour before show-time; subject to availability.
-Cash only.

Reserving Tickets to Pick-Up at the Box Office on the Show Night
-Call 519-562-3394 or email kordazone@gmail.com to reserve.

Pay-What-You-Can Performance
-If you purchase online in advance, you will have to pay full price ($25 General Admission).
-You can also Pay-What-You-Can at the door the night of the show.
-Cash only sales.

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Lucas Waldin, Conductor
Jessica Gorlicky (JESSGO), speed painter

Join the KWS for a unique and exciting concert experience that blends pop art, performance and music. Featuring the innovative artist and speed painter JESSGO, and hits of David Bowie, George Gershwin, The Beatles and more. In a true feast for the senses the KWS will also present the special Chocolate Symphony by Canadian composer Maxime Goulet exploring the overlapping worlds of taste and sound.

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My Favorite Murder is the hit true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark and has announced a live show at the Fox Theatre on Friday, February

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My Favorite Murder is the hit true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark and has announced a live show at the Fox Theatre on Friday, February 22 at 8 p.m.

Since its inception in early 2016, the show has broken download records and galvanized a devoted “Murderino” fan base. Their live tours are known throughout the world, selling out large theaters across the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

A top 10 regular on iTunes’ comedy podcast chart, My Favorite Murder has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, The Atlantic, Nylon and Rolling Stone magazine. Aside from being avid true crime enthusiasts, Kilgariff is a stand-up comedian and television writer and Hardstark is a writer and host for the Cooking Channel.

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One of the most sought after performers in the comedy world, Chris D’Elia, performs on The Colosseum stage on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 9 pm on his North American

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One of the most sought after performers in the comedy world, Chris D’Elia, performs on The Colosseum stage on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 9 pm on his North American Follow The Leader tour.

D’Elia is best known for his stand up and starring role on the NBC comedy series Undateable. His latest standup special, Man On Fire, is now on Netflix. He currently hosts a highly successful weekly podcast Congratulations with Chris D’Elia, which launched in February 2017 and has since been a mainstay on iTunes’ comedy podcast charts. Chris is signed on for a major supporting role in the Mitja Okorn-helmed romantic drama Life in a Year, joining topliners Cara Delevingne, Jaden Smith, Nia Long and Cuba Gooding Jr. D’Elia can also be seen in the Netflix horror comedy Little Evil opposite Adam Scott and Evangeline Lilly.

On stage, D’Elia continues to cement his status as a force in standup comedy. He is a regular at Hollywood comedy clubs—where he performs multiples times a week—and continues to tour the US and Canada to sold-out crowds. His standup special, Incorrigible, debuted on Netflix in April 2015. He could also be seen on the dais of the highly anticipated Roast on Justin Bieber, which premiered in March 2015 on Comedy Central. In December 2013, he released his first one-hour Comedy Central special, White Male. Black Comic. Previously, D’Elia starred opposite Whitney Cummings on NBC’s multi-camera comedy series Whitney. He has also appeared on Comedy Central’s Workaholics, TBS’s Glory Daze, Showtime’s Live Nude Comedy, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Comedy Central Presents. He currently lives in Los Angeles.

Don’t miss your chance to laugh with Chris D’Elia live! Tickets start at $25 Canadian and go on sale at noon EST on Friday, October 26 at the Box Office and online.